MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 12 APRIL
April 12, 2025
PALM SUNDAY
April 13, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
12 APRIL, 2025
John 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come to Mary
and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him.
But some of them went to the Pharisees
and told them what Jesus had done.
So the chief priests and the Pharisees
convened the Sanhedrin and said,
“What are we going to do?
This man is performing many signs.
If we leave him alone, all will believe in him,
and the Romans will come
and take away both our land and our nation.”
But one of them, Caiaphas,
who was high priest that year, said to them,
“You know nothing,
nor do you consider that it is better for you
that one man should die instead of the people,
so that the whole nation may not perish.”
He did not say this on his own,
but since he was high priest for that year,
he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
and not only for the nation,
but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.
So from that day on they planned to kill him.
So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews,
but he left for the region near the desert,
to a town called Ephraim,
and there he remained with his disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was near,
and many went up from the country to Jerusalem
before Passover to purify themselves.
They looked for Jesus and said to one another
as they were in the temple area, “What do you think?
That he will not come to the feast?”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
This passage reveals the contrasting responses to Jesus’ miracles—some believed, while others feared losing control and influence. Instead of rejoicing in the power of God, the religious leaders plotted Jesus’ death. It’s a reminder that belief in Jesus often challenges our comfort zones and personal agendas. Caiaphas unknowingly speaks a profound truth: Jesus would indeed die for the nation—and not just for Israel, but to gather all God’s children into one.
May we endeavour to be like the believers who respond with faith, and not like the leaders who resist God’s movement out of fear and self-preservation.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the One who brings life even in the face of death. Help me to trust You fully, even when Your ways challenge my understanding. Strip away fear, pride, and control in my heart, and lead me to believe and follow You with sincerity and boldness. Gather us into Your love and unite us as Your people. Amen
